What José María means
José María is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "he will add + Mary". It is built from José (Hebrew Yosef: he will add) and María (Hebrew Miryam, meaning uncertain, possibly from Egyptian mry: beloved). It is pronounced ho-SEH mah-REE-ah.
A masculine compound that adds the Virgin's name to Joseph's. José María Morelos, Independence leader. José María Velasco, landscape painter.
About this meaning. The etymology is uncertain or disputed. The reading above is the best-supported one; popular baby-name sites often give a more romantic gloss that the dictionaries do not confirm.
Nicknames in Mexico: Chema. Chema fuses the ch-form of José with the first syllable of María. See the guide to Mexican nicknames.
Popularity: a common name in Mexico.
